Blog Tour – The Miraculous Sweetmakers – The Frost Fair
October 18, 2022CategoriesARC reviews, Blog tour, Mini Reviews, ReviewBlogtober, featured, ReviewLeave a Commenton Blog Tour – The Miraculous Sweetmakers – The Frost Fair

Title: The Frost Fair

Author: Natasha Hastings

Series: The Miraculous Sweetmakers #1

Release Date: 27/10/2022

3.5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I received a free copy from HarperCollins Children ,via The Erite Reads in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

From Goodreads:

It’s winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London.

By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have.

And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.

But once they discover Father Winter’s icy kingdom, Thomasina and Anne quickly realize the Frost Fair isn’t exactly what it seems… and that some wishes never come for free.

My Thoughts
I enjoyed this dark atmospheric middle grade fantasy. I really loved how much atmosphere was jam packed into this book, from both the historical descriptions of the mini ice age that froze the Thames and the reports of big fairs held on the frozen river, to the magical ice Frost fair that features through out them book. The descriptions are beautifully detailed, from the taste of the sweets to the chill of the winter. You really could feel the cold pouring from the page. It really made you want to wrap up under a blanket. The book is beautifully written in that way.

I also really loved the underlying theme of the book. There is an on page death in the first chapter and the book explores how grief effects different people and how they work through that grief. Because of this it can get quite dark in tone so I do think it is more for the older end of the middle grade market. The magic itself is also quite sinister feeling, but I really quite liked that.

One thing I found is this book seemed to be paced really slowly. It took a really long time setting up a lot of the world and it began to feel rather repetitive and it took quite a long time for the main plot elements to get started. Major elements that played into the plot didn’t arrive until after the half way mark so it at times felt like a bit of a slog to get through despite it all being interesting I just felt the plot could have been a bit snappier. I also found that despite there being lot of build up there were a few characters we really didn’t get to know much about and that was a little disappointing as I would have liked to have gotten more information on their past etc.

Also with how dark it began I was hoping for a somewhat darker ending but it wraps up very sweet for my personal tastes. I think this would make a fantastic winter read for and avid 9-12 year old reader. I think the historical elements would make for really interesting discussions too.

The children enjoyed this book so much. The youngest even stopped me and asked me to read some sections again, simply because the description was 'so lovely like a picture'. The middle boy asked if we could read it again at Christmas (perhaps anticipating frost ?). It was a delight to read. We loved it.

Perfect for fans of The Whisperling by Hayley Hoskins, this epic, wintry tale crackles with magic and wonder. As debut author, Natasha Hastings, takes us back to The Great Frost of 1683, when the River Thames froze over, her spellbinding storytelling will grip you as tightly as the wintery weather grips London - with the difference being that you may not want it to let go...
Thomasina's world is one filled with grief. Following the death of her twin brother, she helps to run her father's sweet shop and cares for her grief-stricken mother. But when she meets a mysterious conjuror, who introduces her to a magical frost fair and promises to grant her deepest wish, Thomasina's life takes on a new purpose.

But it appears that the sinister Father Winter is watching her and, as a magical mystery, unfolds around her, Thomasina and her friends race to solve it before she pays the highest price.

This is a magical story set in an historical world and one which captivated me right from the beginning. The opening chapter is instantly hard-hitting and grabs your attention with the force of a sledge-hammer. Character emotions are raw and play an integral role throughout the entire story, drawing us in and making us invest in the characters. The wintry setting is as cruel as it is enchanting and the plot gathers pace like a sledge flying downhill.

Thomasina is a broken character, burdened by guilt and loneliness and vulnerable to temptation. I particularly loved her burgeoning relationship with Anne and the love she has for her mother. Without giving away too many spoilers, however, the novel is packed with other great characters too- watch out for the elderly neighbour, the frost bear and the unnerving conjuror, whose agenda will keep you guessing until the end. The theme of grief is prominent all the way through the narrative, woven alongside the exploration of the treatment of women and the 'madness' of women, the pursuit of youth and poverty. For me, there were real echoes of Midnight in Everwood by M.A Kuzniar - an adult novel I read last year that is based on 'The Nutcracker' - which I think is down to the sinister villain, Father Winter.

If that isn't enough to sink your teeth into, a cracking mystery sits at the heart of this novel, made all the more urgent by the ticking of a clock, Then there are the sensory descriptions of Thomasina's sweetmaking and Anne's apothecary. I loved the strong ending for these two female characters and I have to admit to shedding more than a tear or two. This is truly special and enthralling read and it will be interesting to see how it will be made into a series.

I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of the Frost Fairs on the Thames, so there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to read a fantastical twist on them, and I’m glad I didn’t because this book was an absolute delight and took me completely by surprise.

Firstly, I have to say it’s a stunning book in terms of design. I love the cover design, but the interior design is charming, from the font and wintery ornamentation for the chapter headers, to the fantastic illustrations throughout the book. Alex T. Smith’s artwork really brings the characters and moments to life, and I particularly loved the illustration of Inigo.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was the writing, which treads the balance of readability especially for a younger audience, but also indulging in some truly fantastic descriptive prose. Hastings has absolutely got her finger on the pulse of winter, and all the different elements that we associate with that time of year, and the atmosphere she manages to conjure as a result feels like stepping out a cold winter’s day and into the warmth and light of a Christmas shop, with all the colours and smells, and nostalgia that comes with it. The author also uses all the senses throughout this book, particularly when exploring the sweetmaking aspect, and it got to the point where I could practically taste the creations that Anne and Thomasina were coming up (and I certainly want to try them). This skill with the description was also evident with all the fantastical elements, and it made it so easy to imagine the Other Frost Fair and the tendrils that were twining around the real one and Thomasina’s life; and the imagery for the Frost Folk and Father Winter was spectacular.

‘The Frost Bear was so close to her that she could see ice as delicate as filigree silver on his snout, as well as the deep cracks in his marble-white eyes. Very gently, as if he knew she was terrified, he reached forward and pressed his nose into one of her hands that was dangling at her side.’

The other area where this book truly excels, and where it took me by surprise with the sheer amount of impact is that this story as full of magic and wonder and whimsy as it is, is also a complex, emotional exploration of grief and guilt, and how that experience can differ from person to person and how it can feed into other issues. Even from reading the blurb I hadn’t expected such a serious topic to be so central to the story, but I loved that it was, and I think it’s why this book will appeal to readers beyond the target middle grade audience. It’s also fantastic to see these topics being brought up for younger readers, and in such a way that it isn’t overwhelming and is balanced with warmth and understanding and acceptance.

This is certainly a book I wish that had been around when I was that age!

‘This incident, tiny in itself, gave her the feeling that the father she’d grown up with had come back, even if just for a golden, shimmering moment. It made her heart ache.’

It’s also not static or separate from the events, but instead it is woven into this wonderful, captivating story; and that is how it should be. I also appreciated the historical angle here, and how Hastings doesn’t shy away from shining light on how mental health was viewed in the time period, especially for female patients; again with that accessible approach, without drawing away from the emotional impact or maintaining the charm of the overall story. The Miraculous Sweetmakers is a tale of multiple journeys, and that is another reason why this aspect is so powerful, because it not only explores how different people dealt with these emotions and this situation, but also how the journey to acceptance was just as different, but also brought about connections new and old.

Which leads nicely, to another strength and focus on this book and that is the relationships. Firstly, family – because Thomasina’s story is so intimately tied up with her family, through her guilt towards and memories of her brother, to her responsibilities in caring with her parents, and their drifting in their grief. It was a portrayal that really hit home, and it adds so much to the characterisation of our main character, because we can see how it shapes her reactions and her goals, and it’s so easy to see how we would be if we were in her shoes. However, as central as family is to this story; it was really the friendships that stole the limelight in this book. I particularly loved the friendship that blossomed between Anne and Thomasina, that lovely, quirky friendship that blossoms over a shared interest and connection. It also felt like it encapsulated the feeling of the season, that coming together of kindred spirits; and again, returning to the more serious element of the story, it was a reminder that those connections can blossom against challenging backdrops.

‘I know you’re worried about bringing your brother back to life, but we’re worried about what’s happening to you.’

I also enjoyed the friendship that grew between Inigo and Thomasina. This was a very different friendship, and I will admit it was one I didn’t trust for a large proportion of the book; but I loved the bond that had been forged between them by the end of the book, and how the acceptance of each other and themselves, also played into the conclusion of Thomasina’s arc and past and present coming together with the realisation that the former can’t be changed, but that there was a future to look forward too.

The ending was really the cherry on the cake for me. On the one hand, we had the happy ending and seeing Anne and Thomasina’s friendship and dreams blossoming and seeing the multiple journey threads tying together with the characters that came together. On the other, it was a little bittersweet, because Thomasina’s dream, the wish that had driven her so far and nearly cost so much was out of reach; and yet that in itself made for a perfect and fulfilling ending, and the last scene with her and Inigo was both heart breaking and heart-warming and was an important step in dealing with grief.

The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair was a joy to read, a wonderful blending of history and fantasy and with all the magic of winter wrapped up in a beautiful parcel. In turns heartbreaking, captivating and whimsical, with an eerie edge, this is a story that will charm readers of all ages.

A sweet book full of friendship and magic! I absolutely loved it!! There is so much magic and whimsy in this book that makes it perfect to curl up with on a cold day. Thomasina is an excellent main character and I’ve really enjoyed reading about her adventure with the Frost Fair. Thomasina and her family are experiencing grief so differently throughout this book, and I think it’s being portrayed really well. I’m really loving Thomasina’s friendship with Anne, and they way they’re working together so closely on their project. The Frost Fair itself is so interesting to read about: the opposite of the day-time fair held on the frozen Thames. I was really interested in seeing how this story resolved, and how Thomasina’s problems came to an end.

I loved the way this book is written: the descriptions are exquisite, the colours so vivid, I could almost see it all there right in front of me. This was a solid 4 star read!!

ACROSTIC

Fear

Reaches

Out

Suffocating

True

Family

Affection

Immersed in loss

Ravaged by grief

#BOOKHAIKU

Thomasina fears

the frost that invades her sad

stricken family.

Father Winter threatens all

as the wicked Frost Fair calls.


Good Night To Read Review

What makes this exciting Middle Grade fantasy so intriguing is the adept juxtaposition of eerie fantastical and historical worlds. Hastings deftly uses lyrical language to convey the magical setting and bring 17th Century London to life. Inspired by the 1683-1684 “Little Ice Age” real life phenomenon of The Frost Fair, which occurred when the Thames froze over and enterprising traders encouraged ice tourism, The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair sparkles with scintillating characters, sugary confections, fairy tale creatures, malign forces and high stakes adventure. Take a sprinkle of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, a dash of The Dark Crystal, crystallize with Jadis, Queen of Narnia and infuse with an atmospheric historical backdrop for the perfect mixture and you get the idea. There are also shades of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper evident in the treatment of “hysterical women” and elements of the Gothic in the behaviour of suspicious and superstitious residents who exhibit a witch hunt mentality.

Thomasina is crippled with guilt following a family tragedy. Her mother is depressed and bedridden while her father exists in silent sorrow. She lives in a shabby street off Southwark and devotes herself to Burgess & Sons, their sweet shop business. Encouraged to trade on the frozen river, Thomasina discovers friendship, economic opportunities and deadly danger. When a mysterious conjuring stranger offers her hope she is sucked into the maelstrom of a perilous bargain which will take place over four nights at The Other Frost Fair, a place of evil enchantment. Bewildered and bewitched, Thomasina wonders if her dearest wish will ever be fulfilled. Strange figures stalk her in the dark while ethereal beings spun from ice are transfixed by elaborate masques. Whom can she trust as she unravels a web of deception and broken promises?

To call the book the perfect frosty read for wintry nights is to simplify it. It takes a rare talent to synchronise the sinister supernatural with a story full of heart and redemption gilded by an authentic historical frame. Natasha Hastings is one to watch.

Book Chocoholic Rating- 5 Chocolate Libraries

Thank you to the amazing @Write_Reads @WriteReadsTours @HarperCollinsCh @tashajhastings for including Good Night To Read in their blog tour for this intriguing MG fantasy with a malevolent undercurrent. #TheMiraculousSweetmakers #TheFrostFair #TheWriteReads. Big shout out and massive thanks to #NetGalley for making an ARC available. I am delighted to have been chosen to read this book in advance of its release.

GENRE- Historical/Fantasy

TAG LINE- “When faced with danger, the greatest magic is friendship.”

THEMES- Bereavement, Depression, Entrepreneurship, Feminism, Adverse Attitudes to Mental Health, Maltreatment of Bedlam Patients, Cruelty to Circus Animals, Remedies & Sweet Recipes, Power of Stories

See Spotlight Post also.

Thank you to The Write Reads, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

There’s something about a good middle grade story that is just magical. It can carry you away and make you forget about the real world for a few hundred pages. Though this book dealt with some heavy topics, it still managed to provide that escape that I love about middle grade books!

In The Frost Fair, we’re following the story of a girl named Thomasina. She is the daughter of a sweetmaker and a rather competent sweetmaker of her own accord. A family tragedy in the past, however, has put a pallor over her world. Then she meets two very different people: a young girl named Anne who she hopes to turn into a friend and a mysterious conjuror that promises her heart’s biggest desire. Thomasina finds herself pulled into the magical world of the Other Frost Fair, but not everything is as it seems.

This book does such an excellent job of mixing whimsy with some real world topics. The Other Frost Fair is filled with magic and wonder and it’s incredible getting to experience it through Thomasina’s eyes. At the same time, we get to see how grief affects different people in different ways. We also take a look at the unfairness of how women and girls were treated in the 1600s. I loved how the author mixed discussions of these topics into the story in a way that strengthened the tale and made it that much more captivating. I think it’s important to broach difficult topics like those in middle grade stories. I think the author did a fantastic job of doing so while also creating a magical world that was easy to get lost in.

I think part of the reason why this worked so well is because Natasha Hastings did an great job of writing relatable characters that just make you want to root for them. Thomasina, Anne, and Henry are the best! I love those kids with my whole heart and I loved watching their friendship develop. The more peripheral characters were equally well-written which made the whole reading experience that much more delightful. Even Father Winter was an incredible character in his perfectly creepy way.

Hastings also does an incredible job of creating atmosphere. This is a book I’m going to be recommending as a winter read for years to come, I’m sure, because you can just feel the cold and the winter vibes. It makes you want to bundle up with a nice cup of cocoa! I also loved her descriptions of the Other Frost Fair, with it’s strange magic and fantastical creatures.

Overall, this was a magical adventure that swept me up and didn’t let me go until I turned the last page! It deals with some heavier topics, like grief, and I appreciate that it did so in a way that feels really accessible to the target audience. The atmosphere is pitch perfect and the characters will make you want to root for them as soon as you meet them. All in all, I truly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

What an enchanting debut novel! Absolutely hooked me from the first sad pages, through a dangerous adventure and into hope for the future of Thomasina.
I felt every emotion reading this story of a young girl who suffers from unimaginable grief, over the all consuming desire to have her brother back. Seeing her parents become shells of themselves and their lives take turns they could never have imagined, Thomasina tries to remain strong for them all but she makes a trade that could be the end of her.

Thrilling, exciting, dangerous and filled with a Hope stretching across generations, this is one to watch!

I loved the friendship between Anne and Thomasina, their ideas and dreams for the future becoming a force keeping them together through the dangers of their world.

Love conquers all is a true statement of this tale!

A hunt for the truth, a plot to overthrow a king and the reminders of those lost.

Loved this middle grade fantasy set in the late 1600s. I am glad it will be a series, I can't wait to see what's in store for Thomasina and Anna next. Thank you for having me along on the blog tour

This was such a fun and unique read. although The Frost Fair started off sad and took me a little while to get into, but it soon took off and turned into a magical read that I couldn’t get enough of.

I loved the setting. Set in London during the winter of 1683 it was really interesting to read about. It felt well-researched and brought back memories of learning about it at school and more recently reading about the big freeze with my nephew. The setting and the freezing of THe River Thames made it even more magical, especially when the frozen River Thames is transformed into a magical world by night.

Another thing that made this book stand out for me was that this is the first middle grade that I think I have read that deals with topics of death, grief as well as mental health illness in such a way that isn’t in your face but subtly weaved into the story, which makes it easier for younger readers to understand. It also makes the book and character feel a little more realistic and relatable.

I also adored the strong and brave characters. My favourites were Thomasina and Anne. I loved the friendship that grew between the two girls. I also liked how determined the two were to work together to save Thomasina’s family.

There is so much more I want to say but every time I wrote my thoughts it leads to spoilers so I’m not going to say much more. But what I will say is that this is a great middle grade that is perfect to curl up with during the colder months.

I can’t wait to continue with this middle-grade series!!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by The Write Reads. Special thanks to HarperCollinsChildren's Books for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 frosty stars!

The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair was a well-written, fast-paced and engaging MG historical fantasy with a unique plot full of ice-cold magical night-time adventures. It tackles some fairly serious themes such as grief/loss and mental health, but also the healing power of friendship and of course, family. This was certainly darker than the cover makes it out to be but I really appreciated the way this book tackled these issues and how the author doesn't sugarcoat the darker aspects of them, especially during that time period.

My favourite part of this book was how the author made this wintery historical setting come to life. It's 1683, the Great Frost has hit London, and you can practically feel the biting winter chill in the air as you're reading this. If you've ever experienced a bitterly cold winter season, then I'm sure you can imagine the kind of cold that seeps and settles in your bones. That's exactly the kind of feeling Hastings evokes in this book! I had no idea that this actually happened in history and that the Thames freezing over was real so I loved learning about it! The Frost Fair and Other Frost Fair were also very vividly depicted and I could picture the hordes of people milling about on the ice while checking out stall after stall of food, drink and goods on offer; although the Other Frost Fair undoubtedly had a creepier and less jolly air to it!

The story starts off with an achingly heartbreaking scene and it was actually horrifying to watch it unfold. I have to admit it wasn't the best first impression I got about our main character but she's a child who never meant any harm—plus, she definitely carried the guilt with her for all the years to come. When we reunite with Thomasina and her parents in the present day of the story, we see a broken family who's torn apart by their loss and who are each lost to their debilitating grief. I found the plot unique in how it utilises grief and sadness as a weapon wielded by the villain of the story. I don't think I've read an MG fantasy where sadness sates evil's hunger, so that was definitely cool.

I really appreciated how Hastings tackles the way everyone experiences grief differently. From Thomasina who's plagued by grief and guilt to her parents who're plagued by grief and depression that manifest in different ways. I felt heartbroken for Thomasina because she had to process so much alone as her parents slowly became unfit to care for even themselves. The author does a great job bringing mental health representation to the forefront in this story and I particularly liked how she shed light on how particularly cruel women and girls were treated for being "overly emotional" during this time period. They were made out to be "crazy" for being depressed and for "having a lack of control over their emotional and mental faculties." The "doctor" in this book was absolutely despicable and he honestly reminded me of that nasty doctor from Beauty and the Beast—if you think that was scary, this one definitely gives off the same vibes!

While I won't say that Thomasina was one of my favourite MG characters, I do think she's realistically flawed and she's a teenager who has to process her trauma and loss alone while taking care of herself, her parents, and the family business, so maybe it's okay that she doesn't always make the best decisions and gets a bit snappish at times. I don't think I connected with her character, or tbh with any of the other characters, as much as I hoped to but I could still root for her to solve the mystery of the Frost Folk and Father Winter, and to find happiness in whatever form that'd take. She does grow considerably throughout the story and she slowly comes to accept that despite her wish not coming true, there's a way forward towards healing and letting go of the guilt and grief that the family have been hanging on to.

Overall, this was an engaging MG read that definitely went in a direction I didn't expect because it was much more serious than I anticipated! Also, if you're worried about a happy ending, you needn't be because even though it might not have been the outcome Thomasina wanted at the start, she does make peace with her loss and she gets a different, but no less good, happy ending. This is a great debut that'll make for the perfect wintertime read for its young audience!

I was already aware of The Miraculous Sweetmakers Frost Fair as it was on my wishlist to buy and so you can imagine my excitement when I received the email about a book blog tour from The Write Reads I signed up straight away hoping that I get the chance to read it before being published. A bight thank you to Harper Collins for sending me an E-Arc you have one big hit on your hands I still put a pre-order in as I really want to see the illustrations and read it in it's full glory. To Natasha Hastings I can't comprehend that this stunning Middle Grade is your debut as it reads like someone who is so comfortable in their writing style.

If you were expecting spoilers I am afraid you will not get them from me instead go read the book you will not be disappointed especially if you are looking for all things spooky, atmospheric, strong friendship, historical, fantasy, London and the Thames written as if it was a main character and a villain then this book will totally give you that by the bucket load and then some.

One subject I found beautifully written about is grief and how it can be all consuming the main character of Thomasina and her family. This storyline resonated with me so much that even though it was painful for me to read I could see that Natasha treated this subject so beautifully and eloquently. As I write this review i welled up. For all these reasons I am giving this wonderful debut 5 stars. I can't wait to read what comes next and they will be auto buys

Oh, this is such an amazing read, I can’t believe how much I have enjoyed it! When Thomasina was nine years old, she and her twin brother were returning to their home when Arthur, her brother, struggling to breathe in the very cold conditions, collapsed and died. Four years on and Thomasina has never been able to stop feeling guilty about his death and the horrible thing she said to him before he died. Life for Thomasina’s family changed after Arthur’s death and she’d do anything to bring him back so their lives would be normal again and her mother and father would be happy. So when one night she finds a strange and icy man outside her door who promises to be able to bring Arthur back to her, in exchange for visiting a frost fair with her, she agrees realising the consequences.

This is such a brilliant book and what happens is so interesting. Thomasina’s family have never been able to get over the grief of losing Arthur and Thomasina finds herself talking to him everyday while her father hardly ever speaks to her except to tell her what to do, and her mother is so consumed by her grief that she’s moved into the attic room with Thomasina, never leaving the bed. Thomasina does her best to try and help her family with the business, even more so when a Frost Fair is set up on the frozen river Thames and she and her dad set up a stall there to sell gingerbread and other sweet treats.

During one night however, Thomasina ends up meeting a strange man called Inigo who promises he can bring her brother back to life and all she would have to do is accompany him for four nights to the Other Frost Fair. Despite her concerns, Thomasina’s overwhelming desperation to bring her bother back sees her visiting this Other Frost Fair as a guest of Father Winter’s and it is a magical and interesting place with Frost Beasts made of ice that prowl around and keep out those who are not welcome. I love how magical this other frost fair ends up being and how at first everything seems to be so wonderful even though you can feel some eeriness to the place.

As the story continues things begin to change after Thomasina’s visits the other frost fair and we find out more about this strange magical place and the dark and creepy atmosphere emitted by some of the Frost Folk and Father Winter. After the second time we see Father Winter I did guess what was happening with him and Thomasina but I didn’t know anything else about how this story would go and it was so brilliant and I like how weird and eerie everything is along with Inigo’s character who is more interesting the further you read on.

As the story moves on a lot happens and Thomasina ends up discovering some truths about what is happening during her nightly visits to the other Frost Fair. I also like the friendships she develops, with two characters, especially Anne and what the two girls end up creating together which I wish there was more of in this story as I love the idea of medicinal sweet treats. Another aspect of this book which made it more interesting to read is the asthma Thomasina suffers from and how it affects her in the story too. It’s interesting to see and I like how this was incorporated into the story, as is the obvious effects of dealing with bereavement and grief and also guilt.

So many things are revealed toward the end of the story and I love what happens with all of the characters. There is a brilliant final ending to the tale and I really like how there were some twists I wasn’t expecting. Overall the ending is very good ending things nicely, not just for Thomasina but for others too including Miss Maplethorpe. The whole story is so lovely and magical and the perfect magical winter adventure. The atmosphere and setting is beautiful and I love all the frosty things like the Frost Bear and how everything wraps up so nicely. But I also love how this story does have a darker side too, not just with the eerie atmosphere in the Other Frost Fair, but also with how it deals with loss and grief and how it and guilt can consume someone. I think this topic was tackeled really well for a children’s book and it’s wrapped up well into a lovely historical fantasy tale.

This story feels like a good standalone novel but I do think/hope that it’ll be a part of a bigger series as I want to see more of The Miraculous Sweetmakers and the different treats they create. While I can’t comment on the pictures that will be in the final copybook, unfortunately, as my copy sadly doesn’t have any illustrations, I do know that there will be some lovely illustrations in the story and judging by the front cover which has the same illustrator (and my previous knowledge of Alex T. Smith’s work), I think the images inside the book will be lovely and magical.

Overall this is such a lovely story with an ending that is so good and also so beautiful and poignant at the end too. It’s a lovely tale and one I know I’ll be re-reading again. In fact it’s one of my favourite children’s books this year and one I would really recommend especially if you like the idea of magical night time frost fairs and historical fiction set in the 17th century.

This reminds me of dark autumn Sunday evenings watching the BBC adaptations of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Box of Delights with my family.

The wintery setting is reminiscent of both of those tales too and there’s dark and spooky vibes right from the shocking end of the first chapter.

Thomasina is an appealing protagonist, her drive and ambition contrasted by the guilt and grief she carries. When she is made a miraculous offer we can see why she grasps at it.

Her friendships give her hope, and the story does really get quite bleak so it’s good that she has Henry, Anne, and their business idea, to cling to.

There was a very touching scene with the parsnip seller that made you root (lol) for Thomasina even more.

With discussions of female madness/‘hysteria’, representation of asthma and exploration of the multitudes of ways people deal with grief this is not a light middle grade but it is magical. Both the Frost Fair and the Other Frost Fair are exquisitely drawn and I would love to see this come to laugh as a Sunday BBC family series one day.

I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because I loved the heart warming tale. The mode of the story really suited the winter months and has such a poignant message to impact. The chapters were not too long and the language used was simple enough to follow for this genre. The author did a wonderful job and I love the morality that would educate children of the target age.

My thoughts





Narrative and Plot



The Miraculous Sweetmakers, Frost Fair is a middle-grade fantasy that is surprisingly grounded even when it is dealing with all these magical and frosty elements. Now, I am not exactly familiar with the internal history of London. And there might be historical references that I have missed. However, the story is far more powerful on a human level and it is easy to connect with that aspect.


The plot dives deep into grief and how each one processes it in their own way. The metaphor is quite obvious and the book doesn't shy away from how mental health has been treated in the past. Even today there are places where the subject is still taboo. All this is neatly packaged with an engaging plot and an expressive main character who takes you along with her on this journey.






Characters and Conflicts






Thomasina is basically the central character. The whole story mainly focuses on how she learns to process her own grief. Despite that, each character has an arc of their own which is satisfying as a reader. The ensemble cast makes this frosty world rich and engaging. Moreover, it shows that no one can win their battles alone.



Credit goes to the author to deal with such a delicate topic in a middle-grade novel. There is loss and pain in the book. So, if you're someone who prefers to shield a kid from difficult topics, that's your choice.

But, if you wish to be open and talk about such deep subjects with a young one, the book is worth a try. As a person who has suffered from bronchitis now and then since a kid, that part hits home. Also, I am grateful I live in a place with a hotter climate. However, the world-building really makes you want to experience the winter and the snow minus the sinister elements, of course.






Conclusion



The Miraculous Sweetmakers is yet another middle-grade fantasy that is filled with emotions, magic, adventure, friendship and love all in a gorgeous package. If you are into the genre, definitely give this one a go.

“You don’t have to be the same as you always were. People change when things happen to them. It isn’t a bad thing.”

The Miraculous Sweetmakers was a heartfelt winter fantasy, set against themes of grief and newfound friendship.
The setting of this book was fantastical. You could feel the cold seeping into your bones, and you could also feel wonder and excitement at the magic. It was beautiful to look at, but you could also feel an underlying sense of unease, something being not quite right but being unable to work out what.
I liked the characters in this and how they had changed by the end. Inigo particularly grew on me as the book went on, and I loved the animals.
The friendships in this were great - I loved that Thomasina found herself through her friendship with Anne because Anne gave her room to be herself.
The book had grief running through it and I feel it was good to see how it can affect each person differently. I liked at the end it didn’t feel like they had to move past their grief but just learn to live with it, and that it was still okay to be affected.
This’ll be a perfect book to read on a winters night, tucked up under blankets with a hot chocolate and a big bit of cake.

How beautiful is this cover? I was completely hooked just from seeing it and it’s stunning. It has such a wintery vibe and I cannot stop staring at it.
The opening chapter was very unexpected and threw me a little. It was devastating and let me feeling so cold. From there, Hastings does a great job of really projecting the temperature and atmosphere of Winter in historical London and the frost, snow and ice just leapt off the pages. I often had a shiver or chills, which makes this book perfect to read snuggled up together.
The setting of the novel is just spectacular. I was completely transported away to 1600s London. The detail is so vivid and nothing is missed out. I was actually there, browsing the shop windows and investigating all the little bottles, curiosities and treats on sale.
Thomasina is such an interesting character. Very determined and ambitious but it’s also clear to see her pain and hurt from the terrible and tragic loss of her twin brother. She had such a strong work ethic but she was struggling so much with guilt and grief and had nobody really looking out for her.
I think the subject of loss is captured so well throughout this book and Hastings shows the different ways in which it can impact different people in Thomasina and her parents. I wanted to be angry with her family for being so oblivious but it was difficult as they were so caught up in their own grief and mental health issues which left Thomasina almost invisible and so lonely. As an adult I could see this but it took Thomasina a while to become more understanding about her parents’ feelings (as it would for a child). Their plight really tugged on the heartstrings.
The plot is unique and captivating and at times I forgot I was reading a middle grade novel as I had fallen into it completely. It moves at a good pace but has a really good balance of rich description to set the scene so well. It has a winter whimsy element to it and a touch of magic to add some wonder into the story and I adored it all.
This is a fabulous book to share with children, or just to read it to yourself. It’s entertaining, emotional and immersive and I highly recommend it.

This was one of my most anticipated books and it did not disappoint! It's full of mouth-watering treats and magical scenery. Delicious, frosty and eerie in equal measures!

I have to say the beginning really wasn't what I was expecting, especially from the sweet and sparkly cover and title. But moving on there's a lot of fun as well as the sadness Thomasina feels for her brother and what happened to her family. There are many uplifting moments. I was so happy every time Thomasina made new friends, especially as she had seemed so lonely before. I so wanted everything to work out for her but I couldn't help being suspicious of Inigo, even though he sounded utterly friendly and genuine. The way it was written had me second guessing myself throughout!

It's so amazing and wonderful to think of the first time the Thames froze over completely, the first time London held a Frost Fair. I'd never thought about it before, how it all started. The Other Frost Fair sounds so beautiful and magical, but underneath it has an eerie and sinister feeling. Despite this I imagine such a sparkling place, with so many new wonders every time Thomasina and Inigo visit.

I have to admit I struggled with this book, I think because I found it just so sad and also I was reading it after work when I was tired. However I found when I kept picking it back up I was so immersed in the frost fair it felt like I was there. I loved the magical element of the storyline and the friendships blossoming throughout this book. The author has a way of capturing your attention, placing you into the book and making you wish things like this were real. Apart from the sea monsters and the evil characters.